Foodie At Large

Just a few days left

foodie — Thu, 3 Jan 2008 01:07:00 GMT

Haven`t had a chance to get to the internet place, so I have to backtrack the past few days. Monday, we hiked a nearby mountain to view a long waterfall. The boy`s mother and little sister arrived for a few days from "the capital", as it is always referred to here. New Years Eve was spent in town with a community bonfire and all the locals out in the streets, drinking beer or rum, and loud music - the volume thumping in your chest loud. Yesterday Jerry and I took the motorscoter over the hill to Miches, a small fishing village on the coast. We climbed a nearby mountain with a spectacular view of the mountain range and the coast. There is a small piece of waterfront property that I am thinking about purchasing. I would construct a cement hurricane proof building with a shop space below and an apartment on top and use it as rental property until I retire in 15 years or so. It is only $6000 dollars for the land...We clocked about 60 miles on the scotter! Taking it esy today - I will probably do some exploring on my own.

getting acclaimated

foodie — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:23:00 GMT

This is total emmersion into the culture and language of DR. I am basically one of the family: Jerry, the owner of this ecotour, is a 64 year old multi lingual German who has traveled the world, including crossing the Atlantic in a 34 foot sailboat three times [that he built himself[. His wife, Nayda, is a native of DR, and her 2 grandchildren, Christopher, 14, and Ronnie, 12, are visiting over school vacation and make up the household. Yesterday we climbed up a nearby mountain and investigated a cave at the top, several bats flying around, but not much else, but it was pretty cool! We travel by motorscooter if not walking, although today have been on horseback twice. Im getting used to the food- white bread, sugared juice,minimal produce by my ususal standards, meat once a week and a scarce portion at that. Last night a local musician from the nearby town, Andre, came and sang Bachata songs all evening. I went to bed after midnight but the party lasted until 3am. Andre was still here when I got up, having spent the night, too drunk to get home. This household actually has a small bar and restaurant in the front of the building, so local folks are always stopping by for a drink, either local beer or local rum.

I made it!

foodie — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:36:00 GMT

After a long day of travel on minimal sleep and 3 bus changes, I arrived at Vista Del Valle. I have a crude, small hut in the back yard with a bed and the promised mosquito net! 2 bare light bulbs provide sparse light but I brough a flashlight so I can read at night. Listening to the sounds in the morning, I feel like I am in the middle of a barn yard - a pig, turkeys, roosters in the neighbors yards make a bit of noise!There are few tourists here and the last eco tourist at Captain Jerry's was a German gentleman, so they are all excited to have a real "Gringa" in their presence. My Spanish has grealty improved since last time I was in a Spanish speaking country (PR 3 years ago) but I'm often asking "mas daspacio per favor" (slower!). Jerry´s wife is a native, speaks very little English and she has this little "English for Spanish speakers" and it's a hoot to see how they write some of the translations and pronouciations - for good-bye they suggest saying "so lon". We loose power for 3 hours each moring, many of the locals cook with firewood, and most either drive a motorscooter or ride a horse, but there is a internet place just down the road.